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Anger is Only a Shadow: From the Carnegie-winning author of THE POET X

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Anger is Only a Shadow: From the Carnegie-winning author of THE POET X by Elizabeth Acevedo

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By Elizabeth Acevedo

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2 reviews

How am I spun from such good people?
When did I unravel?

The stunning new novel from the Carnegie Medal winning, Waterstones Book Prize shortlisted author of THE POET X, full of poetry, heart and humour

Seventeen-year-old Lil is anything but small. She’s rebellious, she’s loyal; she’s figuring out what kind of good person she wants to be, or if she wants to be a good person at all. But more than anything? Lil wants to be free.
Because Lil is on probation, and she’s trying really hard to be New Lil – follow the rules, keep her head down, take a breath and smile till her court hearing in three weeks’ time. But Old Lil keeps rearing her head – the one that wants to go, run, find a way to open the pot lid to let the angry steam out.

And when Aldwin’s silences turn to something more alarming – to talk of nightmares, of hearing voices – Lil knows that she is the only one who can help him. But he’s hundreds of miles away and a stark truth is staring Lil directly in the face: how can she get to him without putting her future freedom on the line?

Does doing the right thing mean losing everything?

Reviews

04 Oct 2026

Elizabeth Acevedo portrays her female character with so much passion and integrity. Another wonderfully powerful verse novel for ages 12 upwards.

27 Jul 2026

A beautifully written book covering some very tough topics.

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